Sorry for writing so much about guitar and music on my Danish Modern blog, but hopefully readers will find this interesting.
Since I got my new guitar, I’ve been playing it exclusively through my computer, and have been pretty much blown away by how great it sounds. I’d love to use a real amp, but it is very loud in the house and there’s no room for a big old guitar amp (too many pepper mills). So, I’ll share with you what I’ve got ’cause I’ve been quite happy with it.
Computer + Software
Pretty much any Intel based Mac will work (I have a white iMac). I have the new Garage Band ’09 software (part of iLife ’09) which has all new guitar amp simulators and effects, which sound great. You can record yourself and now take guitar lessons from the likes of Sting and John Fogerty, so it’s worth the upgrade. iLife ’09
Digital Interface
Although you can plug your guitar straight into your Mac, using an external Analog to Digital converter assures that Garage Band is working with the best quality source material. There are plenty of digital interfaces that work with the Mac for around $100, but I recently acquired an Apogee Duet. Apogee is a maker of pro level audio gear, but this unit is designed to work great in a home environment. It even looks as good as it sounds. Apogee Duet FireWire Interface
Headphones
I sometimes play through the speakers I have hooked up to my computer, and it is fun, but I got a new set of headphones and it makes a world of difference. I got in-ear phones by Ultimate Ears, which seem to be a favorite of pros and consumers alike. The experience of listening through the headphones is like listening to a high quality recording, it’s not visceral like being in a room with a quality amp but it is “high fidelity” and sounds rich and full over a great variety of tones. Ultimate Ears Super.fi 5 Pro Earphones (Clear)
Now that my guitar sounds great, I just need to practice so I can realize its full potential. Let me know if you have any comments (not about my playing, about the gear…).
A friend of mine has been raving about his software amps for a while now, He even has all of the “licensed” amps and keyboards on his Mac, including Fender, Vox, and Ampeg! I’ll have to get back to you on what the program is called. But still, you can’t beat a good tube amp!